The southern NSW town of Yass is gearing up for a good time when the inaugural Irish and Celtic Music Festival kicks off.
Modelled on an Irish fleadh (festival of Irish and Celtic music and dance) the three-day event runs from September 14-16.
Festival director Janno Scanes said the town has a long history of early settlement by Irish free settlers.
“Many orphan girls came here during the Irish potato famine [1848-1850], many of them becoming the matriarchs of families whose descendents still call Yass home,” said Ms Scanes.
“The Carmelite Nuns arrived early in our history and lots of modern Irish families have chosen this as their home in recent times.”
She said the historic buildings around town will also be festival venues including 180-year-old Lovat Chapel and Yass Soldiers’ Memorial Hall built after WWI.
A highlight is international performer Geraldine Brosnan. The Irish-born musician plays many instruments including the whistle, flute, concertina, fiddle and bodhran (Irish drum).
As well as Irish and Scottish tunes there will also be French, Portugese and Aboriginal musicians in the mix, as well as African and Mexican flavours thrown in.
Poetry and spoken word are also on the bill and of course, a ceili. Banjo Paterson Park will host celtic markets on Saturday and Sunday. And anyone wanting to learn the whistle, flute, accordion or harmonica can pick up tips at a masterclass.
For younger visitors there will be a junior fleadh on Saturday and Sunday morning.
For festival details, click HERE
Geraldine Cardozo
Features Editor at The Senior.
Features Editor at The Senior.
